'My thesis was a highlight of my senior year'

Samara Schiffman: Jewish Studies, Government and American Studies

5/15/2026

Samara Schiffman

Jewish Studies, Government and American Studies
North Caldwell, N.J.

What was your favorite class and why?

My academic highlight reel is filled with greatest hits, but I’ve loved Professor Corey Earle's insights, anecdotes and fun facts about Cornell in Cornell: The First American University. It opened my eyes to what a truly unique institution Cornell has always been since its founding in 1865.

What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?

My main extracurricular activity is the Cornell Political Union. I joined in the fall of my first year and it has been monumental to my Cornell experience. I have made some of my closest friendships through debates in the Founder's Room and over dinner in Okenshields. CPU has helped solidify my confidence and skill in public speaking through our open motions and has exposed me to new ideas through our speaker events. One of my coolest Cornell experiences to date is having dinner with Curtis Sliwa this March in Okenshields after a debate that was attended by hundreds of students.

What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?

My Arts & Sciences education has honed my analytical, research and writing skills, culminating in my senior thesis on comparative religious nationalism. At first, I was unsure whether to pursue a thesis because it seemed like such a daunting project. In retrospect, my thesis has been a highlight of my senior year.

I’ve enjoyed searching the stacks in Olin Library for sources, closely collaborating with Professor Ross Brann and challenging myself to develop an independent piece of research. Most of all, I appreciate how my senior thesis has enabled me to mature as both a student and a person. It’s been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience, and I am so proud of it. 

What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of my senior thesis, but another treasured experience of mine was my semester in Washington. During the fall of 2024, I participated in Cornell in Washington, where I took classes on constitutional law and political polarization and served as a congressional intern for Rep. Mikie Sherril.

As a triple major, Cornell in Washington brought my studies to life. In class, I probed the nuances of the 2024 presidential election and the pressing Ccnstitutional issues of the day. On Capitol Hill, I attended congressional briefings, prepared policy papers and helped support constituents in my congressional district. I’ve applied the skills I developed during this time to my coursework, my senior thesis and extracurricular activities such as the Cornell Policy Group and the Cornell Political Union.

Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2026.